Wildwood 2026

Movie · 131 min · English · October 11, 2026

Directed by Travis KnightWritten by Chris Butler (filmmaker)

Starring Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Awkwafina

Wildwood is a 2026 American stop-motion animated epic fantasy film directed by Travis Knight and written by Chris Butler, based on the 2011 novel by Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis. Produced by Laika, the film stars Carey Mulligan, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Richard E. Grant, Awkwafina, Amandla Stenberg, Tom Waits, Charlie Day, Blythe Danner, Arthur Knight, Angela Bassett, and Mahershala Ali. In the film, a teenage girl named Prue (Lee) and her classmate Curtis (Tremblay) travel into an enchanted forest in search of her infant brother, Mac, after he is abducted. They find a manor and learn about a coming war from Alexandra (Mulligan), a mysterious woman who tragically lost her son.

Development began in September 2011, just weeks after the release of Meloy's novel, when Laika announced plans to adapt Wildwood as an animated feature. Production was confirmed in September 2021, with Knight directing and co-producing with Arianne Sutner, and Butler writing the script. Most of the cast was revealed in August 2022. Production took place at Laika's facility studio in Hillsboro, Oregon, with Caleb Deschanel serving as the cinematographer. With a theatrical runtime of 131 minutes, Wildwood is the longest stop-motion-animated film by run-time.

Wildwood had its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival on October 11, 2026, and was released in the United States by Fathom Entertainment on October 23, 2026. It is Laika's first film to receive a PG-13 rating from the Motion Picture Association. The film received widespread acclaim from critics, with many calling it the studio's magnum opus.